MILLARD KAY INGRAM

MILLARD KAY INGRAM Millard Kay Ingram, a larger than life, deeply devoted man to his family, community, and faith, reunited with his beloved Jo Anne on May 27, 2025. Millard's family was with him in the last days of his life, sharing their love for him and endless tales, expressing the profound impact he made in their lives by his example. Millard was born December 29, 1931, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Millard Haddix Ingram and Percy "Pauline" Knower. He was the youngest of two sons, Jack Knower Ingram his senior by nine years. Millard's father was a bookkeeper for Getty Oil and his mother worked full time in retail. His character was formed early by the upbringing of his family, high expectations from his parents and hard lessons taught by a much older brother. His parents living during the depression years influenced how they raised their sons, modeling and· expecting them to adopt a high moral character with no exceptions. It comes as no surprise that Millard earned the rank of Eagle Scout when he was only 14 years old. This highly respected distinction was a huge part of his fabric throughout life, performing acts of kindness and service to those in need, self motivated to do any task that was before him until his health took a serious decline. He happily lead many organizations, both profit and nonprofit, and helped individuals privately when asked, without recognition, because he wasn't doing it for any other reason than to do God's work. As a 15 yr old growing up in Tulsa, his parents encouraged and supported Millard going far away from home to work in the long, grueling hours of the pea harvest over several summers in the upper Northwest with a hometown friend. This experience taught him to be self reliant and "grow up". His earnings would feed him, the labor teach him the meaning of a strong work ethic as well as take orders from someone senior in a leadership position, essential life skills. The added bonus was coming home with a little money in his pocket. Millard graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, OK then pursued his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at The University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi, loyal member and alumnus of his fraternity. For decades, when rush parties were held in Ardmore, Millard was highly involved in assisting actives for recruitment of the best for his Beta brotherhood. In addition to his fraternity life, Millard was also an active member of ROTC, joining the Army as a sergeant after graduation. In his junior year at OU, he attended a social gathering and saw a dark haired beauty across the room. He immediately asked a friend who she was, Jo Anne Durkee. He was smitten from the get go, asking someone to set him up on a blind date. Jo Anne was in the freshman class of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Truth be told, it was love at first sight for Millard. From their first date, they were never apart for 73 years, married 71 until Jo Anne's death in November 2024. Millard's loss of his soulmate and love of his life was difficult yet his faith gave him the strength he needed each day, knowing Jo Anne was with God and healthy again. Millard and Jo Anne married in November of 1953 in his senior year of college. Upon his graduation, he was commissioned to serve in the business office of the Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana followed by Fort Eustis in Williamsburg, Virginia, the birthplace of their first born in 1955, Katherine Anne. Once Millard completed his two years of military service, he and Jo Anne moved to Ardmore, OK. Their second daughter, Lisa Kay, was born in Ardmore in January 1959. Not unlike many families back in that era, Millard and Jo Anne made a family decision for her to stay home and raise their two girls while taking care of the household. At 25 years old, Millard started his business career in Ardmore with a privately owned independent retail store, Daube's Department Store. This introduction to the Daube Family went back to his undergraduate studies at OU. Millard lived in the basement of Gladys Edelman, a close friend of Carol Daube Sutton, to be near Jo Anne and her family living across the street. What started in 1956 turned into 36 years Millard spent with Daube's Department Store. Over the years, his relationship with the Daube Family developed into a much deeper relationship other than employee. He and Jo Anne were brought into the family fold, making a significant impact in their lives, both professionally and personally. Millard felt enormously blessed to be considered a member of their family, forever grateful for the treasured memories and opportunities given to him and his family by the Daube Family. Over the 63 years they lived in Ardmore, Millard's entrepreneurial endeavors supplemented their income while working for Daube's. Jo Anne remained at home, serving an important integral role in their finances. She excelled with numbers and accounting practices so she was in charge of family and Millard's businesses. They were a true team in every sense of the word. Millard's working career with Daube's spanned 36+ years, mandatory retirement coming in his early 60s. He still had a lot to offer, stationary existence was never in his DNA so he charged ahead, continuing with his entrepreneurial spirit and humanitarian work after retirement. Millard's lifetime of accomplishments are extensive. Not only was Millard admired and respected in his Ardmore community, his university bestowed the Regent's Alumni Award in 1989 and served as President of Southern Oklahoma O.U. Alumni Association for eight years. He was a member of the Jaycees, serving as vice-president and received the Outstanding Young Man Award. Millard was Chairman of March of Dimes & Heart Fund drives, Chairman of Leadership Ardmore along with receiving the Bob Cypert Leadership Award. His Chamber activities include New Horizons in 1985 and ADA. Millard served as trustee for the Community Activities, Inc. of Ardmore and a member of Field of Dreams Committee. Millard's last award received before leaving Ardmore was the Legend Award in 2017 by Ardmore Main Street Authority, an award given to one demonstrating "Leadership and Commitment to Downtown Revitalization". Millard lead from the smallest project to the largest undertaking, always there to see it through. He was their first recipient of said award. Millard's board positions included the Salvation Army since 1967, serving also as President aside his board position. He received the Salvation Army's Dynamic Force Award for his outstanding work in the Oklahoma-Arkansas Division in 1988. His other board positions were Ardmore Main Street Authority, Oak Hall School, The Ambulance Board. Ardmore Village, The Glory Ainsworth Day Care Center, Ardmore Enrichment Foundation, City Planning Board, and Ardmore Beautification. He was lovingly known as Mr Ardmore by some because he had his hand in so many pots. Entrepreneurial by nature, a few of his memorable endeavors were a chicken and egg business as a middleman. The deliveries were transported in his 1963 baby blue Volkswagen Bug with front passenger seat removed in order to carry goods since there really was no trunk in a VW Bug. He worked his Daube's lunch hour at his restaurant, The Mill-Pond, helping behind the grill with Jo Anne as cashier during rush hour of students and working adults. He and Bob Grissom worked together, building and owning the twin movie theater building close to 1-35 along with a few other projects over the years. Real estate (buy, restore, rent, sell) investments were in his forte. Most of his endeavors were successful with one exception, purchasing a herd of cattle that died within a few months of ownership, a complete disaster. He never ventured into livestock again. Millard and Jo Anne faithfully worshipped at St. Philip's Episcopal Church for 35+ years. Millard served on the Vestry from 1984-1990, serving as Senior Warden five of those years. They volunteered in various capacities where needed to promote community within their parish, feeling a call to serve. Every Sunday, they would attend early services, sitting in the same row up front on the center aisle. Millard and Jo Anne were fixtures in St. Philip's, devoted to their Lord Jesus Christ. Even the countless hours Millard dedicated to Daube's, his community, and entrepreneurial endeavors, he always made time for his family. He attended assemblies, plays, dance recitals, sporting events, graduations, weddings not only for his children but his grandchildren when possible, traveling to Dallas and Tulsa to support and cheer on his family. Millard was a constant source of love, security, protection to Jo Anne and his daughters. He guided with his example and his tremendous heart, a priceless gift Kathy and Lisa know isn't always afforded in every family. The number of friendships Millard developed over his lifetime is immeasurable. He lived "being a friend is about what we give, not what we get." He didn't expect anything in return, loved by so many because he was selfless, fun, funny, thoughtful, kind, a compassionate soul, one people gravitated towards. Millard and Jo Anne were consummate entertainers, hosting many different groups who varied in age as well as social and business circles. Fellowship with others truly brought them great joy and so what better way to do it than providing a delicious meal and a glass of wine. In 2019, Millard and Jo Anne moved from Ardmore to be near family due to their declining health. This decision was not easy to leave Ardmore yet necessary. These last six years brought Millard and Jo Anne's families an abundance of fond memories playing cards, meals together, celebrations and holidays with them by their side. Living in town with family started a new chapter though late in life, giving them opportunities with their loved ones they've hadn't experienced before. Millard and Jo Anne were happy, well taken care of by family and caregivers. Millard is preceded in death by Jo Anne; his parents; his brother Jack; son-in-law Neal Stauffer; and great-granddaughter Bailey Sommerville. Millard is survived by his two daughters, Katherine Anne Stauffer of Norman, OK, and Lisa Ingram Elrod (David) of Dallas, TX; six grandchildren, Shelby Bennett (Hank), Jo Anna Stauffer, Katie Stauffer, Andrew Elrod, Jordan Elrod, and Trevor Elrod; and two great-grandchildren, Riley Sommerville, Collins Bennett. The family would like to thank the Assisted Living Staff at Juliette Fowler Communities for their loving care, kindness and devotion in his day to day over the last two and a half years. Staff would share how appreciative Millard was with the care he received, complimenting the ladies on their appearance and attentiveness to his needs. When family would visit, he would say with a smile and a wink, "She's a dandy!" It was the highest compliment he could deliver, wanting them to know he valued them. Millard will be celebrated on Thursday, August 14, 1 p.m. at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Ardmore, OK. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Philip's Episcopal Church at https:// www.stphilipsardmore.org, Juliette Fowler Foundation at https://fowlercommunities.org, cureSMA at https://www.cureSMA.org, or charity of your choice.